Automation Module Overview

Introduction

There are many use cases when product data must be validated, cleaned, enriched, etc. in automated way based on a customer/user needs.

Today most of the customers have to do these tasks manually, or they did code customization (not changeable by a customer via UI, not maintainable, problematic for easy upgrades of the software). The users, admins or partners spend a lot of efforts and time on coding rules and actions manually (e.g., using Script Runner, Bulk Actions, Save Event, manual work). In the worst case, they export and re-import product data to clean up and validate it externally.

Customers want to define such kind of automation in an easy and flexible way inside PIM. Therefore, we add a new module into PIM, which allows users to set up and maintain automated validation, enrichment and cleansing in PIM in an easy and comfortable way.

Goals of Automation

• validate product information in an automated process and get a report or notification
• help to notify users or coworkers about bad data and necessary manual enrichment, changes or approvals
• change product information data based on rules to autocorrect errors, enrich data or create cross-references
• measure the quality of their data (completeness, missing data, level of enrichment, in general or also per sales channel)
• provide predefined conditions and actions to define automated data improvements
• make automation reusable in multiple places, e.g., editing process as well as in a bulk operation
• make it easy for users/admins to add additional rules and use different actions

Solution Summary

• The Automation is organized in Rules Lists.
• Each Rule List contains the list of Rules.
• A Rule is defined as a kind of if-then-statement. It contains a Condition (If) and list of Actions (Then) which are performed if the Condition was met.
• A Rule List is run by user or triggered by events in the system.
• Depending on the Rule, the Actions may update the product or notify users (e.g., via email or notification on UI).
• The Automation works on one product at a time, not working on other products or updating them.

Examples for a Rule used in Automation:

If required attributes in a product are empty then set product status to “edit”

If width, length and height exist then calculate volume

User story

1. A User can create or update Rule List with necessary Rules. Each Rule contains a Condition and list of Actions.
2. A User can search the products and select the Rule List to execute it immediately or schedule when it shall run.